Day nine includes two sewing artists and friends of Let's go Sew. Take a look at their handiwork with quilts both big and small.

This one is from my friend Sue McGurk. What  a perfect way to say "Welcome Spring!" Let's see what she has to say about her quilt.

Here’s a little wall hanging I made for a swap....tried to be a little springy and bright to forget about the winter dreariness!   I’m so happy to see a little sun today!
Hope you are getting a lot of sewing done.  I am 😀​
 Sue McGurk

Next we have a couple creative quilts from Diane. Looks like her loved ones are in for something special with each one of these one-of-a-kind quilts. Thanks for sharing these Diane!

I think this will wrap it up for a bit unless I get some more photos and stories submitted. 
Thanks to all who sent in such wonderful pics and stories! We'll have to do this again sometime soon!

Please leave your comments and questions for Sue, or for Diane below.

Hello Sewing Friends! I must say, you have all been very busy making beautiful things. It's been a pleasure to share them with the Let's Go Sew Sewing community!

Today's Sew & Tell is another wonderful quilt!

This colorful I SPY quilt came to me without a name. I hope the artist will get in touch so we can congratulate this person by name. I only know it is Tyler's Grandmother :-) Read the artist's description in purple.

UPDATE! This creative quilt was designed and stitched by Nancy Bell from Pennsylvania. Congratualtions on your labor of love expressed with stitches Nancy!

Hope you are enjoying this great show and tell! I know I am!

Today my friend Jan Dees (Jana Designs) from Washington proves that staying inside is putting a real dent into her stack of UFOs! This should motivate all of us to tackle those unfinished objects.

I'll let her tell you all about her sewing adventures in her own words shown in purple.

​Then I finished a quilt in progress since December for my daughter-in-law’s brother. ​This baby quilt is long overdue as Michael will be 3 years old this summer.  The pattern is Anita Good Design Playhouse of applique animals, but I used only penguins. 

Jan sent this to me a few days ago so I wouldn't be surprised if she has a whole bunch of UFOs all finished up by now :-)

Thanks for sharing these great photos and telling us how your're making the best of things. You are an inspiration to us all!!!

Please leave comments and questions for Jan below.

On day six I have yet another chance to share something from a local, longtime friend. Meet Pat Guerin! Pat regularly attends a local monthly sewing club meeting where I've played "hostess" for a long time.

Over the years, Pat has amazed both myself and all who attend with her incredible masterpieces. They've ranged from childre's items, to quilts, to formal wear, hand worked wallhangings, accessory items, and so many other things too numerous to mention! She executes everything to a high degree of perfection but presents it as though it is all so effortless.

After experiencing the loss of both her Mom and her Dad, Pat has put her hands to good work making lasting quilt gifts for family members, and for herself. Today, you have the chance to see see her in progress "precious memories" quilts which she describes in her own words in purple below:

"In total there are four quilts ( three brothers share one house)."

Update! Below is a photo of Pat's finished quilt label. I know Pat was filled with emotion as she created this label on her computer and printed it on EQ Printables fabric. It's obvious Pat's quilts were stitched with lots of love. These quilts are a glimpse into the story of her Mom and Dad's life together. I'll let Pat tell you a littel more in her own words in purple:

"My folks were very simple people , both very creative. Mom was a homemaker most of her 87 years, crochet, needlework, minimal  sewing. Dad  served in the army out of high school, married his high school sweetheart, was a mechanic, welder extraordinaire! He welded until the day he died at age 89. They were married almost 69 years!"

Thank you Pat for sharing your handiwork and sharing your heart with us as well!

Won't you join me in congratulating Pat on her incredible masterpieces?!? Please leave your comments and questions for Pat below.

My Friend Kim Dodick is the star attraction for today's Sew & Tell Show & Tell! Kim started embroidering not too, too long ago and has used her creative skillls to stitch so many gorgeous things. I have the privilege of seeing her stunning creations on a regular basis "in person." Today I get to share some of her handiwork with all of you!

Just look at these wonderful embroidered pillows!

Here's a little closer look.

Scripture on the back makes these oh so special.

Kim tells me the designs are from Embroidery Library. She and added a few of my favorite Bible verses on the pillow backs. This set was a gift of love to some special friends who needed an uplift during these trying times.

Wow! I'm certain these pillows will carry them through difficult days and be a reminder of Kim's loving heart for a long time to come!

Please leave any questions or comments you have for Kim below.

UPDATE! Curious about where these gorgeous designs came from? Kim tels me they are a desing collection form Embroidery Library. I have no affilitation with that company but I have infact purchased some of their beautiful designs.

Birds featured on Kim's Pillows are from a design pack collection called U.S. Birds and Blooms. They're available in four different size collections beginning with 4" X 4" hoops and going up to 7" X 11.8." It lloks like they are also available separately if you click on each individual bird. Here is a direct link to the pack on Embroidery Library if you're interested in more information: https://bit.ly/2WSzJZw

Today's feature artist is Caroline Booth, the Needle Quirks Queen!

In her note to me she says she's making the best of being cooped up and it's obvious she is getting lots accomplished in her sewing space! 

Having corresponded with Caroline for a while now, I know that pillow making is a passion for her. She is especially gifted at design them in a multitude of interesting ways.Pillow making is truly one of her specialties! This one is designed using all built-in designs and features on her Brother Luminaire.

The next photo is hopping with happy thoughts and full of great ideas. 

I'll let her describe these delightful projects in her own words.

"I wanted to share a fun little fabric box that I learned how to make this week while “locked in” my happy place. I wanted a rustic look for this one to somewhat mimic a vintage wooden box so I used a painter’s canvas to construct the outer box. Peltex 71F gives the box it’s structure and the interior fabric is a nice quilting cotton. The Peltex is also used to give the handles some structure and they are attached to the box with snap rivets.

​This was such a fun project to make that I plan on making several for Christmas gifts using holiday themed fabrics. The pattern actually calls for two fat quarters so it doesn’t require much fabric and it’s a fairly quick project to complete, depending on how you choose to embellish it."

Thank you Caroline! I know I speak for everyone in saying that we're so happy you shared all these with us.

Please leave comments and questions for Caroline below.

Quilting is a popular way to pass the time in your sewing space. My friend Clovis Perkins has been putting together pretty blue patches to make a twin size quilt.

Look close and you'll see some of the blocks feature the churn dash pattern. This quilt block is made up of half square triangles, strip pieced squares, and solid squares. While it looks tricky to construct it goes together without having to piece any points.

Clovis tells me she is making this for the "blue room" in her house. She has the desire to enter the finished quilt in her local Lake Couty fair this year. I've already deemed this one a winner! Her fabric selection is really an interesting mix, the piecing looks perfect, and it looks like she's well on her way to getting this off the sewing table and on the bed!

Thanks Clovis! I'm so happy you shared your handiwork with us! 

Tip: The well known and highly respected Missouri Star Quilt Company has a nice seven minute YouTube video show how to put a churn dash block together using 10" layer cake squares. CLICK HERE to watch.

Laugh for the day, while I sometimes watch YouTube videos at 1 & 1/2 or 2X speed, I like to watch Jenny Doan at three-quarter speed :-) I guess her speed and my speed are just a little out of sync!

A blank blog page? How crazy is that? Well, it's only blank today. I'm asking my Let's Go Sew friends to send in their project pics to share here. Watch as every day this page fills up with projects and pictures shows up. This page will feature both finished and unfinished projects. I can't wait to see this page bursting with your creations! Be sure to check back for updates during the week of March 23 - 28, and maybe even longer. I'll start the ball rolling tomorrow with the first project photos.

My friend Jan O'Malley starts off this week full of show and tell with her in progress colorful quilt. Seeing the pieces and parts come together is a fun part of the process, agree?!?

Jan describes her quilt in her own words, seen in purple. My words are in black.

I'll add white columns up each side first.  Then I'll add more rows around the 4 sides before quilting.  I ordered fabric online that I'm waiting for, for the backing, border and binding. 

The baby is due soon so I'm sure Jan is busily working to finish this up. Thanks for sharing this cheerful quilt Jan! Your colors are perfectly enchanting and they seem to shout happy spring!!!

UPDATE! For those who are interested in the design collection Jan tells me it is a set from Designs by juju. Here is a direct link to the Farm Applique Set: https://bit.ly/2UdRZef

Another UPDATE! Here are a few more photos showing Jan's quilt and quilt label, plus a bonus photo with beautiful baby Cecilia on her new quilt!

Here is my friend Jan holding her fabulous finished quilt!

Highlights From My Visit to Lake Farmparks 2020 Quilt Show

Farmpark bills itself as a family-oriented science and cultural center devoted to agriculture and farming. Each year they host a beautiful quilt show, housed in the exhibit hall that includes a gift shop, theater, cafe, and more, all in a functioning barn complete with "dairy parlor" with real cows in residence. There are many activities held throughout the year on this 235-acre working farm known as Lake Metroparks Farmpark.

The Flight of the Eagles quilt you see above is just one of many masterpieces that decorated the vas space at Farmpark this year.

I try to never miss this show and I often take a class from one of the local or celebrity instructors they bring in from other areas of the country. The show this year was smaller than most, but I didn't mind that at all. I found much to make my jaw drop and left feeling good about being part of the stitching community at large.

I thought I'd share a few of my favorite picks from this awe inspiring display. I wasn't too particular about noting "winners" but you can view the entire list HERE.

This first place ribbon quilt was massive! It had some of the most incredibly detailed motifs I have ever seen! I neglected to photograph the label but this was a Hunter's Star pattern and it was machine quilted. Take a look at the close-ups in the slideshow below.

The message on this small but sweet quilt was so touching. It's obvious Ginny put a lot of love into this!

Another ribbon winner, this quilt was entered in the category of Individual Mixed Techniques. Read the label below for another sweet sewing story.

This giraffe quilt touched a soft spot in my own heart. My Mom would have loved a quilt like this! She had a big heart for all animals and somewhere along the way started collecting giraffes. I even made her a robe once that was pre-quilted fabric printed with various safari animals and included giraffes.    

I also thought the layout of this quilt was very interesting and unique. Amazing how simple squares can turn into such a work of art!

Just one word for this one . . . beautiful!!! the colors and shapes were so perfectly executed. This quilt could brighten anyone's day!

Yet another colorful quilt perfectly stitched. Batiks are my favorite quilt fabrics by far. Anyone else here a batik freak????

The photo of this quilt from the Art Images category in no way does this amazing wall hang the justice it deserves. Titled Early Morning Mist, honestly, I could not stop staring at it!

​The combination of patchwork, appliqués, painted scenery, and 3-D accents made this a mesmerizing work of art.  In particular, I thought the tiny blocks framing the piece were a stroke of genius. My "make it match" brain would have opted for something solid but I think you'll agree that the patchwork here was a very ingenious and artistic choice.

The realistic rendition of this quilted Great Blue Heron make it look like it could take flight at any moment! I think animals are some of the hardest things to represent in fabric, but this quilter was right on target in scale, size, and color in her appliquéd creation, don't you think? 

While I don't know any of the other quilt artists from all the photos featured here, this stunning work of art one was created by two dear friends of mine. Read the story behind the quilt below:

Isn't sewing something special one of the best ways to give love in a tangible way?

Yet another "display only" quilt, meaning it was not entered for judging, this masterpiece was made by a man who wanted to honor his family and their homestead. I'll let you read the story for yourself below: 

Here is a close-up with detailed family history.

What a unique way to honor his family heritage!

The last three of my favorite picks are obviously traditional. Although I appreciate every style represented in a quilt show such as this one, I'm always drawn to the warmth of these classic quilts and these are the ones I would most want to mimic for our own home.

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of quilts!  to my knowledge each and every one of this was crafted by a skilled Ohio quilter. I'm already eagerly awaiting the dates for next year! In closing, I'd like to give a shout out to Farmpark Quilts organizer extraordinaire, Andrea Pasquale, who makes this show spectacular each and every year!

Now, if you have any quilting stories you'd like to share, I'd love to see them posted here!!!